Exciting CPAs!

Patty Gannon

CPA and Family Pitch in to Help Hurricane Victims

CPA David Richardson decided to take his family on an entirely different kind of Spring break this March.

Richardson, who is CFO of Planned Parenthood of Central & Northern Arizona, decided to take his wife Debbie and their two children to Biloxi, Mississippi to assist in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. During the trip, the family performed landscaping tasks, roofing work, “mucked” mold from homes, and distributed food and clothing to people in need.

“Two years ago, my daughter Abby (now age 15) and I took part in a church trip and spent a week in Tijuana, Mexico, building homes for poor families as part of her community service work for her confirmation. It was a very positive and powerful experience for both of us,” says Richardson.

“My son Aaron, 12, recently entered his first year of the confirmation program. After months of watching the news coverage of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and the ongoing problems with recovery, we felt it was important to do something beyond making financial contributions to relief organizations.

“With so much of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts focused on New Orleans, many people in Mississippi feel abandoned,” says Richardson. “The Biloxi area is home to a number of elderly people. Many of the elderly have been victimized by insurance companies and unscrupulous people posing as contractors who took deposits for work that was never performed.”

Richardson said their efforts were worthwhile knowing that they made a difference in the lives of the people they encountered. “The people we met were so appreciative of the fact that we cared enough to come and help.”

“Even though it’s been eight months since the hurricane, the widespread devastation we saw was incredible,” explains Richardson. “Recovery efforts in the area are going to take many, many years.”

Richardson and his family participated in the effort as part of a group of 45 people from Mountain View Lutheran Church in Ahwatukee.

“Special skills are not required,” states Richardson. “If you enjoy helping others, this type of work is very rewarding.”— Patty Gannon

Are you, or do you know, an exciting CPA? Contact Patty Gannon at pgannon@ascpa.com.

AZ CPA – June 2006

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